It was built from 1895 to 1896, was designed by Alexander Scoles and has been served by the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor since its foundation.

In 1894, she bought three houses in the area that would provide the foundation of the parish, one for the Poor Servants of the Mother of God to teach at a school, one temporarily for the friars to the north, and The Oaks, in the grounds of which, the present church, friary and Trinity Catholic High School would be built.

It was a temporary iron church, built in the garden of the house for the friars to the north of Woodford Green.

[2][3] In April 1895, the priest and architect, Alexander Scoles was commissioned to design St Thomas of Canterbury Church and the friary.

The builders were Goddard & Sons of Dorking and Farnham and the total construction cost was £10,000, all paid for by the Duchess of Newcastle.